At a garden party

By
William Stafford /
March 22, 1984

Clown faces at the door welcome everybody. They never change. People talking and strolling pause to smile at the children. Where the sun was on the terrace it stays warm for awhile. Trees reach up into the sky but have to make do where they are. Look back when you leave - see where you were, and all the balloons. A white balloon tugs loose and sails away.